Sour Cream Banana Bread

In case you're looking for

a good summer recipe,

try THIS sour cream banana bread!

I had a few over-ripe bananas

that I wanted to use,

and not just throw away.

I found this recipe via google,

and at first, I was surprised

at its lack of spices

(my favorite breads

usually have an abundance

of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, etc.)

but I followed the recipe anyway,

and it turned out quite well!

I made mine without nuts,

but I'm sure it would have been good

with those, too.

If you're looking for a nice,

sweet, moist bread

to eat for breakfast

or even with dinner,

you should try this one!

I give it two thumbs up. :)

For Dad

"My father didn't tell me how to live;

he lived, and let me watch him do it."

Clarence Budington Kelland

***

The man of integrity walks securely,

but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9

I'm so lucky to have a dad

who practices what he preaches

and lives with the kind of integrity

that I wish I had more of.

A dad who isn't afraid to say,

"I'm really proud of you,"

or "I'm praying for you,"

or "you did a great job."

I am so very lucky.

I love you, Dad!

Happy Father's Day

to the best daddy

in the whole wide world!

Thankful Thursday

In honor of Thankful Thursday,

I thought it might be fun

to write a little

Thankful Thursday poem.

Because, let's face it:

rhyming is fun.

Don't you agree?

Today, I am thankful

for the sun in the sky;

for my God, and my family

and my favorite guy.

I'm thankful for love,

and I'm thankful for warmth

and I'm also thankful

for summertime storms.

Today, I am thankful

that I'm in good health;

I'm thankful that I haven't been

spoiled by wealth.

I'm thankful for the roof

that's over my head;

for the food that I eat,

for my warm, comfy bed.

Today, I am thankful

for YOU, dear friend,

because without you,

Thankful Thursdays would end.

You see, relationships matter the most,

and not things or possessions-

I'll only ever boast

about the people who love me

and make life worthwhile.

And that's why, dear reader,

YOU make me smile.

Happy Thankful Thursday!

What are YOU thankful for?

Yesterday, in Pictures

Words don't even do justice, so enjoy the pictures!

And if you're ever in Myrtle Beach,

go see these amazing creatures for yourself!

What a once in a lifetime experience.

I'm so glad we were able to do this :)

http://myrtlebeachsafari.com/

Friday Fill-ins

1. Summer sunshine feels great.
2. The solution is to pray. Always pray.
3. Right now I feel like I could fall asleep.
4. How about we shut down early today.
5. Marriage is something I highly recommend!
6. Imagine a world without hatred or evil.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to heading to the beach, tomorrow my plans include getting up close and personal with some endangered species and Sunday, I want to go to church, and then relax!

Thankful Thursday

We've made it, boys and girls!

We are finally almost to Friday.

But, let's not forget about Thursday...

especially because Thursday

is a great day to be thankful.

Today, I am thankful

for flip flops,

and popsicles,

and the little things

that make southern summers

(or, well... late springs)

enjoyable.

I am thankful for fun weekend plans,

and for my awesome in-laws

who are making them possible.

I am thankful, as always,

for my sweet husband.

For our home,

and the life that we have built together.

I am thankful for the future,

and for all the hope that it brings.

What are you thankful for?

In a Nutshell

After having a TIA, or mini-stroke,

Nana is recovering amazingly well.

She celebrated her 84th birthday this week,

and got to spend it with both of her kids

(one of whom happens to be my dad).

I am so, so glad

that things have turned out

as well as they have.

***

My little brother has been

in Egypt the past few weeks,

and will be home soon.

I am so incredibly

excited that he has gotten

such a cool opportunity!

***

And speaking of opportunities,

this weekend

Justin and I will be going

to Myrtle Beach

to meet some amazing animals

including some endangered species

and to go on a "safari."

I am super excited

and will definitely share pictures

as soon as we have them!

***

I've been talking more

to my family

via the phone, Facebook,

and any other form

of communication

you can imagine.

They are all so great,

and I am so lucky

to have such an amazing

group of people in my life!

***

In a nutshell:

I am happy.

I am blessed.

I love my life.